Authors Note: I do not own Harry Potter. This is all purely fan based! This is also my first fanfiction and appreciate all critiques! Choosing to go ahead and give it a M rating just in case, but this is a slow burn dramione and it will be a long while before anything naughty may happen! Will give warnings.

Hermione's POV

My alarm clock just went off, but I have been up fifteen minutes so far. The excitement of what today would bring made it hard to go to sleep last night and easy to wake up! Today, me and my parents were going to have a meeting with my future headmaster! Not just any headmaster, the headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!

A few weeks ago my life was completely different. Before I was just the daughter of two dentists. I was a bookworm, teased by my classmates in middle school and adored by my teachers.

I had to control these feeling that would come over me. My parents and I had to keep secret my unusual abilities in fear I would become some doctors science experiment.

Children knew I was different and I found comfort in the escape books offered. If I hadn't had been delivered my Hogwarts letter, I would have been destined to the life of a shy spinster. No doubt.

It was the middle of July when me and my parents were interrupted from our breakfast by a knock at the door. Me and mom didn't give dad much mind as he rose to answer it, and continued to eat.

A few moments later, dad walks back accompanied by a woman dressed in a very fine pin-stripped pantsuit.

Initially me and my mother assumed the worst: my dad had an affair and this was the woman that would soon be my step mother. I instantly lost my appetite.

My mother rose "What is going on, honey?" Staring not at him, but at the lady.

My dad looked a little dumbfounded, "She says she's here to see our daughter."

The lady spoke. "Sorry to disturb your breakfast. But I'm here to personally deliver a letter to miss Granger," she enthusiastically looked at me and smiled. "My name is Fiona Baker. I work for the Ministry of Magic. You, young lady, have been accepted into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." She proceeded to hand me the envelope.

I ripped the red seal of the envelope open and began to read, with every word my heart beamed. I was finally able to genuinely smile and give my parents something to ease their worries! Everything was beginning to make sense!

I was a witch.

My parents were still confused and needless to say we set up a few meetings with Mrs. Baker to discuss how our lives were about to change. My parents were having mixed emotions, I was nothing but excited.

A whole new world was opening before me! It was like being in one of my fiction stories, except I was the main heroine and this was actually happening!

There was so much to learn. A new culture, new history, new meaning to my life. I didn't have to keep my magical abilities to myself. I was liberated.

Today she was picking us up and taking us to a place in London called The Leaky Cauldron. She told us last visit that the headmaster especially wanted to meet me, and that this was a rare occurrence.

I jumped out of bed with that thought! I picked out my outfit I wanted to wear last night so I could be ready to go even quicker.

Pulling my jumper over my head, I proceeded to apply product to my hair to tame the madness.

When I made it down to the kitchen my parents were grudgingly getting ready for the day. Neither of them could be at top performance level without their morning coffee.

While they got themselves ready, I sat at the kitchen table. I was making my list of questions to ask professor Dumbledore. His name even sounds like a magic spell!

Mom sat down and pushed a plate of fruit and toast in my direction. I nibbled while I jotted a couple big questions down.

So far the page read:

1. How did I get my magical powers?

2. Why am I just learning about this now?

3...,

There wasn't much else. Mrs. Baker was more than willing to answer any questions I had, and had given me a couple of books to mull through. She told me Hogwarts had an extensive library with books about anything and everything. Even a restricted section... gosh! I can't wait!

"You know Hermione, I'm eager to meet this headmaster of yours as well. I've never met a real wizard before,"my dad stated with a chuckle. He was always the light hearted one. Mother was definitely going about this from a practical, protective mother point of view.

"Well, I've got a few questions I'd like answered," I stated.

"Oh yeah, like what?"

"I guess we haven't discussed this either," I started. " How did I get my powers?"

My parents sighed in unison. My mother spoke first. "Hermione, we've been trying to figure that out too... your grandmother has a family tree going back to King Henry VII practically. Unless they didn't want to be found out, there's no mention of any magical capabilities. That's just your dads side. My mother had a one night stand and we don't know anything about my father except he was dark headed and... " my mother paused and rubbed her temples.

"And what, mom?" My curiosity was peaked. She had never tried describing him before.

"You know your grandmother, she can be outrageous. She always said he was the love of her life, and would give anything to see him again. He was dark headed and gorgeous, she would tell me." Mom was smiling down at the floor, shaking her head now. I couldn't imagine what mom must feel like, not knowing her real father.

"I would consider him a possibility! It's all so mysterious sounding and... " I said before we heard knocking at the door.

I practically leaped to the door. Mrs. Baker was her usual chipper self and said she would wait outside for us.

Running back to the kitchen I grabbed my list of questions and folded it into my pocket. Mom put her coffee in a travel mug and father grabbed his keys.

"She's waiting for us! Let's gooooo," I dragged out.

After I got them out the door and my father locked it, we all got into my parents station wagon. Mrs. Baker gave excellent directions, but the car ride felt like it was taking forever. I couldn't help glancing over the drivers seat to check how fast we were going.

"The Leaky Cauldron" the sign read. I could barely make it out and the words only seemed to appear once we got very close.

"Does magical food taste better than muggle food?" I questioned her as we walked through the front doors.

He laughed and it sounded like music. "No dear, it all depends on whose cooking it."

I knew it was a silly question, I half asked it to break the silence.

A round woman at the bar waved at us the second we all made it inside. Mom and dad were shifting uncomfortably. The atmosphere here was chilly, crisp, and yet warm and inviting at the same time. Everyone looked to be enjoying themselves.

"Follow me, please," Mrs. Baker spoke.

Squeezing through the crowded bar, I suddenly felt a buzz of electricity pass through me. A few men hanging out at the end of the bar glared at me and my parents. I tried not to make eye contact, and focused on not tripping over anything.

In a back room we arrived at a round table already covered in food. Roasted meats, mouthwatering bread rolls, and plenty of desserts were distributed on top of the wood table.

Stoically sitting was a wrinkled old man with a childlike smile, squinting eyes, and purple velvet robes. This had to be him!

"Good morning! I'd like to introduce myself," and the man rose fluidly from his chair, walking around to shake hands with my father first. "I am Professor Dumbledore. I'd like to thank you all for agreeing to meet with me today."

He looked down to me with a glint on his eyes. "Ah, miss Granger. I'm sure you have questions for me. I will do my best to answer them to the best of my ability," he bowed slightly to me instead of shaking my hand.

"Nice to meet you, headmaster." I bowed back.

"Sit now, let us eat! I did not know what you all would enjoy so I asked for a bit of everything. I personally am fond of sweets, I highly recommend the lemon zinger pie."

Mrs. Baker was next to speak. " I forgot to tell you that we would have another muggle born student joining us. He and his mother should be arriving soon."

I felt my mouth drop open.

Glancing to mom and dad, they looked at each other with concerned looks. Dad was already making himself busy with the mountain of food.

I really doubted a structured woman like Mrs. Baker would simply forget to mention something like this.

Eagerly, I turned to face my headmaster. "Why do you need to see us? Not that I'm complaining, I am really excited about all this! But I have been curious. Especially when I heard not every muggle born gets to share a private meal with you before starting school."

"Yes, honestly I felt like something may be wrong...," my mother nervously chuckled.

Dumbledore look a tiny bite of pie. "You are correct, Mrs. Granger. There is something not quite right you see..." he began before two figures appeared in the doorway.

A brown headed boy locked eyes with me and I could clearly see the conflict in his eyes. The woman I assumed was him mother had a look that indicated she was not in the least bit happy.

"Mrs. Finch-Fletchley! Justin!" Mrs. Baker stood to welcome them in.

The woman didn't budge and glowered at Mrs. Baker. "I demand to know why we had to come to this place. Was there not anywhere else we could have met my sons potential headmaster?"

Potential? Was he going to Hogwarts or not?

Dumbledore stood with Mrs. Baker. "Welcome. I am Dumbledore the schools headmaster.I know this may seem untimely, but I assure you, there are important things I wish to discuss with you all."

By this point I was dying of curiosity.

Mrs. Finch-Fletchley grabbed her sons arm and sat next to me and my mother.

Justin looked my way again. This time he had a pleading look to his face, so I did my best to send him a reassuring smile.

To that he returned a half smile and nodded to me.

My minds gears were turning. This other muggle family was not like mine. My parents may not have fully understood this new world their daughter was leaving them to, but they did their best to show me their support.

This boys mother obviously wasn't feeling pleased by any of this. That made me wonder, could you decide not to use your magical powers and remain in the muggle world if you wished?

Mrs. Finch-Fletchley caught the end of the exchange and elbowed her son.

She looked over at me and I shuddered.

"Baker, I thought I was very clear that my son would not be going to this school. We have worked hard to ensure him a place at Eton, and I do not appreciate how foreword and unyielding you have been!" The woman preached. "I only agreed to come here today to tell the headmaster himself that we decline."

I stated at her in amazement. Then I looked at Mrs. Baker and Dumbledore to find them generally unphased.

"Madam," Dumbledore began, "I know this may not be the future you intended for your son. I would like to share with you the consequences that may come of him not understanding his magical capabilities."

The woman stood. "Excuse me sir, but I do not think learning how to perform magic tricks will qualify him for any respectable jobs! And as far as magical capabilities go, I don't recall him doing anything Mrs. Baker told me were tell-tale signs of "wizardry"!"

"Have you asked your son about this?" Mrs. Baker said sympathetically.

"I am his mother! I know everything about him! There's no need-" she screeched and looked down to her son. She was stopped mid-sentence by the pitiful and teary-eyed face he wore.

I tried not to stare and looked over to my parents. They were also doing their best not to watch this utterly embarrassing moment in this poor child's life.

"Mother, I have been having strange things happen. I didn't know how to tell you and father, and I have gotten pretty good at keeping them under control." He spoke calmly despite his outwardly broken disposition.

"Justin..." his mother touched his shoulder. She looked up and around at the audience before her and for the first time today she looked like a caring mother.

"How have you been going about controlling your powers, young sir." Dumbledore pushed his plate of desserts away and drew his hands to rest under his chin. He watched the scene carefully.

"I only ever had stuff explode or disappear when I got too emotional. Sad... angry... I try really hard not to feel those emotions. When we got my letter I was happy that other people had what I had and were able to live normally," he looked up to his mother and back down again. "But them I saw how upset it made you mother and I decided I wouldn't go to Hogwarts." His face turned sour as his thoughts got the best of him.

"But I don't know how long I can keep not feeling anything," and at this he broke and tears fell.

His mother grabbed him and held him close.

I was confused as to why me and my parents were here having to witness all this. What purpose did we have here?

"Professor, what happens if you try to stop yourself from using magic? Can it be bad?" I asked.

Everyone turned to me and then to Dumbledore.

The man sat back. "I am very glad to have met you today miss Granger. It's not often I meet such a young witch with wits beyond her years."

I brightened at the compliment.

"Yes miss Granger, it is never a good situation to try and suppress ones magic. I would like to share with you all a personal story."

Finally, things were starting to come together.

Mrs. Baker had moved to sit next to Justin and handed him a handkerchief, patting his other shoulder.

"I am the oldest of three children. Me, a brother, and a sister. I'd like to tell you about Ariana..." his voice lowered. "When she was younger than you are now, Justin, she was teased and tormented by her peers for her magic. It was not a typical situation, but my mother thought it best to move the family into near solitude to escape the ridicule Ariana experienced. In the magical community we have what is known as squibs," he continued. I had been reading about squibs so I knew where this was going.

"Squibs are individuals born of magical parents but inherited no magical powers themselves. Many people believed my sister to be a squib. My mother allowed me and my brother to attend wizarding school, but Ariana remained home. She reclused to her room, and was perceived as odd," to that he glanced at me.

The pit of my stomach dropped and I immediately felt vulnerable. This sounded all too similar to me now.

"Needless to say, my sister by the age of fourteen was showing signs of being a threat to others and herself. She had moments of weakness and it is at these times that her magic would do uncontrollable things to our house...and others."

I looked to Justin and his mother. They had straightened to listen and Mrs. Finch-Fletchley looked a few shades paler.

"She died," he stated simply. "Not from her own internalized magic, it was another unfortunate accident, but the point I wish to get to you all is that trying to suppress ones inner magic and not learning how to control it, can be dangerous."

"He can go." Justin's mother announced. "I'm sorry for behaving the way I have today. And I am sorry for your sister, professor."

"I assure you, you have made the right decision, madam," Dumbledore said.

"Now I'm sure you all are wondering why I decided to have us all meet here, instead of individually," he then said. The man had a way of maintaining control of a room with his voice.

"Yes," my father spoke up now. "This has been a lot to take in, and frankly I'm more concerned for our daughter than I was before."

"It is a simple request I'd like to extend to miss Granger and Mr. Finch-Fletchley. I see trauma and pain in both of you children due to your magic, and would like you two to become friend before you start your education at Hogwarts. Perhaps today you get to know one another, exchange addresses, and become "pen pals" I believe you call it. With your parents permission of course." He finished, nodding to all three parents at the table.

I looked to Justin and he looked at me. He finally was looking like a normal, happy eleven year old boy.

I was thrilled. Honestly, there wasn't much I wasn't ready for.

My father spoke up, "Is there a girl Hermione could pen instead? I'm -"

My mother cleared her throat and put her hand on my fathers. " I think it's a lovely idea."

"I can't see it being a bad thing," Mrs. Finch-Fletchley added.

"Wonderful! Mrs. Baker said. "I would also like your permission to seek you all out every so often to see how this penmanship affects your experience coming into the wizarding world. If it's positive, we may match muggle born students up automatically in the future to aid their transition!"

Now it made sense why Mrs. Baker was here. This must be some special project she has been given or trying to make for herself.

"I am afraid I have another meeting to attend, and I do wish to thank you all for your time. It was a pleasure. Please eat! Get to know each other!" My headmaster spoke, rising up and clasped his hands together. He nodded to Mrs. Baker and with a whirl the man was gone.

The rest of us spent the next couple of hours getting better acquainted. The food maintained being the perfect temperature and drinks refilled itself.

My mother was on her third cup of coffee when Mrs. Baker proposed taking us to Diagon Alley. I had seen the name quite a few times and knew this was where we would get my school supplies.

I smiled to mother. "Let's get my school supplies today!"

"Yes, sooner the better I suppose."

It was Mrs. Finch-Fletchley who spoke next. "Does the wizarding world use pounds?"

Mrs. Baker took the next few minutes to explain mostly to the parents how to go about exchanging currency to what they called galleons. Me and Justin were already on a first name basis (his last name is a mouthful!" and I was informing him about everything I possibly could. I got his address and we would use our traditional post to get letters to and from. His mother wasn't too keen on an owl delivering letters to her house just yet.

"Hermione dear," father broke my conversation, " I think we will have to go shopping later after we get the pounds converted to galleons and I take a nap..."

I was a tad disappointed but couldn't argue with my parents. A nap did sound like a good idea.

"I couldn't agree more!" Raved Justin's mom. She rubbed her temples. "I need a break from all this to get my wits about me. Justin we can come back later, we can arrange to meet up again with Mrs. Baker and the Grangers?"

"Sounds good to me!" He said to everyone smiling.

When we left the sky had little light left and my eyes felt heavy. I couldn't believe we had spent nearly the whole day talking, but it was needed.

By the time I got to my bed, sleep hit me like a ton of bricks. I met my headmaster, made a new friend, and my parents better understood this world I was coming into. I didn't get to ask Dumbledore the questions I had written down, but figured I would do some research and find things out for myself.